Hosting an Event on Council Land

About Events in Southend

Southend-on-Sea is a great place to host an event with a diverse range of locations available. From our world famous Pier and 7 miles of seafront with fantastic views over the estuary, the town centre, to parks of all shapes and sizes across the Borough.

Events can help to support Southend-on-Sea’s economy and cultural offer creating a dynamic and vibrant atmosphere throughout the whole borough that visitors and residents can enjoy.

With annual visitor numbers reaching over six million, we want to make sure that there is something for everyone to enjoy whilst ensuring their safety.

Hosting an Event

Before an event takes place, all events held on Council land within Southend-on-Sea must:

be authorised by us and have an Event Permit issued

have in place valid Public Liability Insurance of no less than £5million

in addition some events may also require licences from other authorities under different legislation/regulations

To seek approval, a fully completed Application Form and Event Management Plan must be submitted along with any supporting information.

These must be received (dependant on the nature of the event) at least 6 months or 8 weeks in advance of the proposed event, please refer to the application form.

Planning an Event

We’re happy to help and support you throughout the application process and we highly recommend you talk with us well in advance to help make sure everything runs as smoothly and safely as possible.

As a pro-active environmentally friendly Authority we would also like to advise any potential Event organisers of initiatives that may help in your preparations. A plastic-free festival guide has been launched to help festival and event’s organisers to reduce plastics at their events. Published by the Raw Foundation in partnership with the UK’s Shambala festival, it includes practical tips on how to cut plastic out of events, plus information to promote sustainable re-use solutions and improve recycling practice. For further information please follow see the Raw Foundation website.

Please note, during the period between February and October half term (half term inclusive), applications for new events on our busy seafront between Kursaal and Shorefield Road that propose car parking restrictions and or road closures won’t be permitted.

How to Apply

Please download and edit both the Application Form and Event Management Plan.

To make an online payment of the Application Fee, please fill in the Make A Licence Payment online form. You may also pay by debit/credit card via phone on 01702 215005 (select option 1). Alternatively send a cheque payable to Southend Borough Council, with the Event Name and Event Organiser’s name on the reverse. The postal address to send cheques to is as follows:

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